THE _aburazemi_, or "oil-semi," makes its appearance early in the
summer. I am told that it owes its name to the fact that its
shrilling resembles the sound of oil or grease frying in a pan. Some
writers say that the shrilling resembles the sound of the syllables
_gacharin-gacharin_; but others compare it to the noise of water
boiling. The _aburazemi_ begins to chant about sunrise; then a great
soft hissing seems to ascend from all the trees. At such an hour, when
the foliage of woods and gardens still sparkles with dew, might have
been composed the following verse,--the only one in my collection
relating to the _aburazemi_:--
Ano koe de
Tsuyu ga inochi ka?--
Aburazemi!
Speaking with that voice, has the dew taken life?--Only the
_aburazemi_!
[Illustration: PLATE IV.
1-2, _Mugikari-Zemi_, also called _Goshiki-Zemi_.
3, _Higurashi_.
4, "_Min-Min-Zemi_."]